“The foolishness of man ruins his way, and his heart rages against the Lord” (Proverbs 19:3 NASB).

God has been blamed, cursed; and denied because of pain and suffering in this world that is mankind’s fault. The Crusades, Spanish Inquisition, and Salem Witch Trials didn’t come from God’s Word but from mankind’s foolishness.

God’s Word tells us to love our enemies, pray for them and to strive to be at peace with all men… not fight with and burn them (Matthew 5:44-48, Romans 12:17-21).

A chain smoking father who suffers and dies of lung cancer did so because of the choices he made. A drunk driver who kills a family caused suffering by the decisions he made–God’s Word forbids drunkenness.

Murder and violence come from the pride and unbridled desires of man (cf. James 4:1-3). God has loved us enough to give us free will and let us choose our paths; we are not forced to do anything.

Mankind as a whole, unfortunately, has chosen to do evil and pain and suffering results from it. Mankind in general and us as individuals need to stop blaming and start taking responsibility for our mistakes.

We need to be strong enough and wise enough to admit our mistakes and learn from them.

–by Jeremy Sprouse